Safety
Saint Gabriel and Good Samaritan Catholic Church Safety Tips
While there is no active threat or security concern to Saint Gabriel or Good Samaritan, or reason for you to be worried about your personal safety as a parishioner attending Mass or any other Church related activity, it is always good to be prepared and know how to respond in the event something does happen as opposed to having to plan and becoming a victim.
For that reason, the safety and security guidance listed below is being offered so you can start to be better prepared and have greater self-confidence about knowing what to do in case anything does happen.
In all safety and security planning the best first step is prevention. Saint Gabriel has done a lot to ensure many preventive measures such as better lighting, enhanced camera system, improved building access, alarm systems, and more are in place. But prevention also applies to all of us.
Situational awareness is very key and we must all be aware of our surroundings and take notice of those things that appear to be out of place, suspicious or not normal. Safety and security starts with us!
THE POWER OF HELLO
For the most part we all know the people who attend our particular Mass of choice. We know when there is a newcomer because they stand out. But how do we know they are new to the Church or there for other reasons? Greeting someone who appears suspicious—often called the "Power of Hello"—is an effective safety technique that makes eye contact, signals awareness, and lets them know they have been seen, which can deter potential criminal activity. Friendly, direct acknowledgment can discourage bad intentions while maintaining your safety, as criminals often look for unaware targets. If you are comfortable with this, this small gesture can disarm others, break down barriers, turn strangers into friends, and turn potential safety threats into secure interactions. If you sense anything that is potentially a threat or dangerous do not engage and alert one of the ushers or staff on site.
RUN - HIDE – FIGHT
In the event something does happen, especially an active shooter, "Run, Hide, Fight" is a nationally recognized, FBI-promoted protocol for surviving an active shooter incident. The strategy focuses on rapid, decisive action: evacuate immediately if possible, hide in a secure location if escape is blocked, and fight to incapacitate the attacker only as a last resort. The most important part of this is to always have an escape plan. Be aware of your surroundings and identify exits immediately everywhere you go.
RUN:
• Have an escape route and plan in mind as soon as you sit down anywhere you are at.
• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
• Leave your belongings behind
• Help others escape, if possible
• Do not attempt to move wounded people
• Call 911 when you are safe
HIDE:
- If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you.
• Be out of the active shooter’s view
• Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door)
• Lock the door
• Blockade the door with heavy furniture
FIGHT:
As a last resort, attempt to take the active shooter down. When the shooter is at close range and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him/her.
• Act as aggressively as possible against him/her
• Throw items and improvised weapons
• Yell
• Commit to your actions
CALLING 911
During an actual event do not place yourself in danger by delaying your need to get to safe place because you want to call 911. Call 911 only after you are in a safe location if you are facing immediate danger to life or safety or witnessing a crime in progress. Do not risk your personal safety to make the call; prioritize finding a secure spot, then provide the location, nature of the emergency, and follow dispatcher instructions
- Staying calm can be one of the most difficult, yet most important, things you do when calling 9-1-1. It is very important that you stay as calm as possible and answer all the questions the 9-1-1 call taker asks.
- Listen and answer the questions asked. By doing this, it helps the call taker understand your situation and will assist you with your emergency until the appropriate police, fire or medical units arrive.
- Know the location of the emergency. Providing an accurate address is critically important when making a 9-1-1 call.
CAUTION:
Taking security matters into your own hands while armed is subject to complex and strict self-defense laws that vary significantly by state. The use of force, especially deadly force, by a civilian is only legally justifiable under specific circumstances, generally involving a reasonable belief of an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm to oneself or others.
HANDLING INDIVIDUALS ASKING FOR MONEY
When someone approaches you asking for money it’s natural to want to help driven by a desire to alleviate immediate suffering. However, while the intention is commendable, simply giving money to people is not always the best way to support those in need. Often these monies are used to purchase drugs or alcohol, rather than food or shelter. It also could create an expectation that you will provide money every time. Politely tell them "No, sorry," or "Not today". If it happens on Church property just let someone from the Parish know but never send the individual to the office.
CONCLUSION:
Again, there are no known threats to us here at Saint Gabriel and Good Samaritan. But the time to prepare ourselves for how to respond should never be left to the moment we have to respond, which is why we are providing this simple guidance to everyone so you can be better prepared personally.
While Saint Gabriel and Good Samaritan have and are taking steps to ensure a safe and secure Church for all to attend, safety belongs to every parishioner. Each of you plays a critical role in creating and maintaining a safe environment for themselves and their fellow parishioners. Thank you for taking your personal preparedness seriously!
